AS Paul O'Grady swaps the moving stories of Batersea Dogs and Cats Home to play a guest part in Holby City, he admits he has never been happier.

He has relished the opportunity to take on many different projects this year, including his award–winning ITV series, Paul O'Grady: For The Love Of Dogs and documentary about the working classes, Paul O'Grady's Working Britain.

With such variety, the popular 58–year–old star says he has never been happier in his professional life.

"This year has been so smashing," he says as he settles down to chat about his forthcoming role in Holby City. "And I am having an absolute ball.

"I really love the fact that I am doing so many different things. It challenges you and you are stepping out of your comfort zone.

It's great to be doing some acting again."

For his role in Holby, Paul plays a patient called Tim who is admitted to hospital, suffering from cancer. It's not clear how advanced the disease is but as he battles the illness, he finds himself becoming close to Sister Chrissie Williams, played by Tina Hobley.

"When you first meet Tim, he is quite brittle and mean, and your first impression of him isn't very nice," says Paul. "But he softens up and he has a real heart of gold, which is what I liked about him."

So determined was Paul to do the character justice that he even offered to have his head shaved to make his portrayal of a cancer sufferer more realistic. "I told the producers I was prepared to have all my hair shaved of," explains the star. "But then they told me I would also have to shave of my eyebrows and eyelashes if my hair was to come of.

"But the medical experts at Holby pointed out that not every kind of cancer means your hair falls out and so it was decided I wouldn't shave my hair of."

Paul has relished the opportunity to take on many different projects this year [GETTY]

All my friends have been incredible in the way they have dealt with cancer. Their strength has amazed me

Paul O'Grady

A huge Holby fan, Paul admits that playing a cancer patient took its toll on him because it reminded him of his own friends' battles with the disease.

"It brought back terrible memories," he says sadly. "All my friends have been incredible in the way they have dealt with cancer. Their strength has amazed me and I have come away reeling at times wondering how the hell they deal with this.

When I was filming Holby, I kept thinking about them. I did get emotional at times."

After recharging his batteries at his farm on Romney Marsh, Kent, this summer, Paul is raring to go. He's in talks with ITV about new projects, plus he is reviving his chat show later this year.

Keeping ft by tending to his animals, Paul, who has suffered two heart attacks, looks incredibly well.